Waste receptacle

ABSTRACT

A dustpan configured to receive and contain debris includes a base and a wall. The base has a front edge over which debris can be swept when placed in contact with a surface. The wall extends upwardly from a portion of the base other than the front edge to contain the debris. A tooth assembly that includes a set of protrusions configured to remove debris from the bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the protrusions. The tooth assembly can be at least partially disposed in a handle with an arcuate cross-section. The tooth assembly can define a channel configured to frictionally engage a broom handle. The tooth assembly can be moveable with respect to the dustpan. A handle coupled to the tooth assembly can allow a user to move the tooth assembly between a first configuration and a second configuration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/709,391, filed Dec. 10, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/226,745, filed Sep. 7, 2011, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/476,663, filed Apr. 18, 2011, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an apparatus and methods for collecting swept waste material, and particularly to a waste receptacle with a set of protrusions for removing debris from the bristles of a broom.

Waste receptacles or “dustpans” can be used to collect debris swept into the body of the pan by a broom and are typically comprised of a pan and/or base, a set of walls, and a handle that typically extends laterally from a rear wall of the pan. A user normally holds the dustpan in one hand by the handle while using a broom in the other hand to sweep debris into the pan. This process can become cumbersome and inefficient as a user may try to stabilize the broom using a shoulder or other body part. In some instances, two people may perform the operation, with one person holding the handle of the dustpan and the other person using the broom to sweep debris into the dustpan. In other instances, a user can choose to use a small handheld broom, requiring the user to bend down and/or kneel to sweep debris into the dustpan.

In some instances, swept debris can become entrained in the bristles of the broom. In such instances, only a portion of the debris is collected in the body of the pan, while the entrained debris remains in the bristles of the broom. In some instances, the debris can fall out of the bristles outside of the dustpan or otherwise spread to undesired locations.

Thus, a need exists for a waste receptacle or dustpan that can be easily held in place and that effectively removes debris from the bristles of a broom without spreading debris to areas outside of the dustpan.

SUMMARY

An apparatus and methods for collecting swept waste material are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a dustpan configured to receive and contain debris. The dustpan includes a base and a wall. The base can be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned and has a front edge over which debris can be swept. The wall extends upwardly from a portion of the base other than the front edge to contain the debris in the dustpan. A handle with a substantially arcuate cross-section is coupled to the wall of the dustpan to allow a user to place the base in contact with the surface to be cleaned. A tooth assembly is at least partially disposed in the arcuate cross-section of the handle and includes a set of protrusions that extend inwardly from the wall of the dustpan. The set of protrusions is configured to remove debris from the bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the set of protrusions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a waste receptacle according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic illustrations of a waste receptacle in a first configuration and a second configuration, respectively, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a waste receptacle according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the waste receptacle of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the waste receptacle of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a first member of a tooth assembly included in the waste receptacle of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a second member of the tooth assembly included in the waste receptacle of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the waste receptacle taken along the line X-X in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged portion of the waste receptacle identified as region Z in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the waste receptacle of FIG. 4 in use.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a waste receptacle according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a waste receptacle according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the waste receptacle of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a bin included in the waste receptacle of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a coupling member and a tooth assembly included in the waste receptacle of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the coupling member and the tooth assembly of FIG. 16 coupled to a handle included in the waste receptacle of FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the waste receptacle of FIG. 13 in a first configuration.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the waste receptacle of FIG. 13 in a second configuration.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate the waste receptacle of FIG. 13 being stored with a broom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a dustpan configured to receive and contain debris. The dustpan includes a base and a wall. The base can be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned and has a front edge over which debris can be swept. The wall extends upwardly from a portion of the base other than the front edge to contain the debris in the dustpan. A handle with a substantially arcuate cross-section is coupled to the wall of the dustpan to allow a user to place the base in contact with the surface to be cleaned. A tooth assembly is at least partially disposed in the arcuate cross-section of the handle and includes a set of protrusions that extend inwardly from the wall of the dustpan. The set of protrusions is configured to remove debris from the bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the set of protrusions.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a dustpan configured to receive and contain debris. The dustpan includes a base and a wall. The base can be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned and has a front edge over which debris can be swept. The wall extends upwardly from a portion of the base other than the front edge to contain the debris in the dustpan. A handle with a substantially arcuate cross-section is coupled to the wall of the dustpan to allow a user to place the base in contact with the surface to be cleaned. A tooth assembly is at least partially disposed in the arcuate cross-section of the handle and defines a channel that frictionally engages a broom handle. The tooth assembly includes a set of protrusions that extend inwardly from the wall of the dustpan. The set of protrusions is configured to remove debris from the bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the set of protrusions.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a dustpan that defines an interior region configured to receive and contain debris. The dustpan includes a base that can be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned and has a front edge over which debris can be swept. A tooth assembly includes a set of protrusions coupled to the dustpan for rotational motion relative to the dustpan between a first configuration and a second configuration. When in the first configuration, the base is placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned such that the set of protrusions extend away from the tooth assembly toward the front edge to remove debris from the bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the set of protrusions. When in the second configuration, the set of protrusions extend into the interior region of the dustpan when the base is lifted away from the surface to be cleaned. A handle is coupled to the tooth assembly to allow a user to move the tooth assembly between the first configuration and the second configuration.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “a wall” is intended to mean a single wall or a combination of walls. Furthermore, the words “proximal” and “distal” refer to a direction closer to and away from, respectively, an user who would hold the waste receptacle at a handle (i.e., proximal end) with a front lip (i.e., distal end) of the dustpan receiving debris.

As used herein, the term “set” can refer to multiple features or a singular feature with multiple parts. For example, when referring to set of walls, the set of walls can be considered as one wall with distinct portions, or the set of walls can be considered as multiple walls. Similarly stated, a monolithically constructed item can include a set of walls. Such a set of walls can include, for example, multiple portions that can be discontinuous from each other. A set of walls can also be fabricated from multiple items that are produced separately and are later joined together (e.g., via a weld, an adhesive, or any other suitable method).

As used herein, the term “parallel” generally describes a relationship between two geometric constructions (e.g., two lines, two planes, a line and a plane or the like) in which the two geometric constructions are substantially non-intersecting as they extend substantially to infinity. For example, as used herein, a line is said to be parallel to another line when the lines do not intersect as they extend to infinity. Similarly, when a planar surface (i.e., a two-dimensional surface) is said to be parallel to a line, every point along the line is spaced apart from the nearest portion of the surface by a substantially equal distance. Two geometric constructions are described herein as being “parallel” or “substantially parallel” to each other when they are nominally parallel to each other, such as for example, when they are parallel to each other within a tolerance. Such tolerances can include, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances, or the like.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a waste receptacle 100 according to an embodiment. The waste receptacle 100 (also referred to herein as “dustpan”) can be used to collect (e.g., receive and at least temporarily contain) debris that is swept into the dustpan 100 by a broom or the like. The dustpan 100 includes a base 110, a set of walls 120, a handle 135, and a tooth assembly 150. The base 110 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the base 110 can have a shape that can be polygonal (e.g., square, rectangular, pentagonal, etc.), curvilinear (e.g., rounded, circular, elliptical, etc.), symmetrical, asymmetrical, or any suitable combination thereof. The base 110 includes a distal edge 116 over which debris can be swept. For example, the base 110 can be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned such that debris can be swept over the distal edge 116. In some embodiments, the distal edge 116 (also referred to herein as “front edge”) can be formed from a flexible material that can deform or otherwise reconfigure when the base 110 is placed in contact with the surface. For example, in some embodiments, the distal edge 116 can be an over-molded portion formed from rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, silicone, ethylene propylene rubber (EPM), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), or the like. In this manner, the distal edge 116 can elastically deform (e.g., nonpermanently deform) when the base 110 is placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned and can return to an undeformed configuration when the base 110 is removed from contact with the surface.

In some embodiments, the base 110 can be a substantially planar surface. For example, when the dustpan 100 is disposed adjacent to a surface to be cleaned, an outer portion of the base 110 is entirely (substantially) in contact with the surface. In other embodiments, the base 110 can include or define one or more discontinuities such that only a portion of the base 110 is placed in contact with the surface. In such embodiments, the one or more discontinuities can be arranged to divide the base 110 into, for example, distinct portions. For example, in some embodiments, the base 110 can include a discontinuity that divides the base 110 into a first portion (not shown in FIG. 1) and a second portion (not shown in FIG. 1). In such embodiments, when the base 110 is placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned, the first portion can be disposed at an angle relative to the surface while the second portion can be substantially parallel to the surface. In this manner, the first portion of the base 110 can act to retain the debris within or on the second portion of the base 110.

The set of walls 120 surround at least a portion of the base 110 and extend upwardly from a set of edges of the base 110 (e.g., the edges forming the sides of the base 110) other than the distal edge 116, as shown in FIG. 1. For example, the set of walls 120 can include a back wall and a set of side walls. In some embodiments, the walls 120 are monolithically formed with the base 110. In other embodiments, the walls 120 can be coupled to the base 110 (e.g., via ultrasonic welding, an adhesive, or any other mechanical coupler). The walls 120 can extend in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the base 110. In other embodiments, the walls 120 can extend from the base 110 at any suitable angle other than 90° (e.g., 95°, 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, or any other suitable angle). In still other embodiments, the walls 120 can extend from the base 110 at angle less than 90°. In yet other embodiments, the angle at which the walls 120 extend from the base 110 can vary along a length of the walls 120. For example, the walls 120 can include a portion that is substantially perpendicular to the base 110 (e.g., a rear portion) and one or more portions that are not perpendicular to the base 110. In some embodiments, the walls 120 and the base 110 can collectively form a rounded contour as the walls 120 extend from the base 110. In other embodiments, the walls 120 and the base 110 can collectively form one or more linear edges.

While not shown in FIG. 1, the walls 120 can extend from the base 110 at any suitable height. For example, in some embodiments, the walls 120 can extend from the base 110 at substantially uniform height. In other embodiments, the height of the walls 120 can be varied. For example, a height of the walls 120 can increase from a first height at a position adjacent to the distal edge 116 of the base 120 to a second height at a position opposite the distal edge 116 (e.g., a rear portion). Said a different way, the walls 120 can include a tapered edge that decreases in height as the walls 120 extend from a back wall toward the distal edge 116 of the base 110. Thus, walls 120 can have a suitable height to retain the debris in a storage portion, while saving on material usage by decreasing the height of the walls 120 at areas where debris storage is less likely (e.g., adjacent to the distal edge 116).

As shown in FIG. 1, the handle 135 is coupled to the walls 120 and extends in a substantially perpendicular direction away from distal edge 116 of the base 110. In some embodiments, the handle 135 can be monolithically formed with the walls 120. In other embodiments, the handle 135 can be coupled to the walls 120 (e.g., via ultrasonic welding, an adhesive, a mechanical coupler (screw, bolt, and/or nut), or the like). The handle 135 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. For example, the handle 135 can include substantially linear sides that extend toward an arcuate end portion. While not shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the handle 135 can have a substantially arcuate cross-sectional shape. For example, in some embodiments, the handle 135 can be substantially U-shaped, defining a channel between a set of side walls (not shown in FIG. 1). In other embodiments, the handle 135 can define any suitable cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the handle 135 can varying along the length of the handle 135. For example, in some embodiments, the handle 135 can include or define a set of grooves on an outer surface. In such embodiments, a user can place one or more fingers in the grooves, thereby increasing the ergonomics of the handle 135.

The handle 135 can be configured to extend from the walls 120 at any suitable angle. For example, in some embodiments, the handle 135 can extend from the walls 120 in a perpendicular direction. In other embodiments, the handle 135 can extend in a substantially linear path at an angle, less than 90°, such that a portion of the handle 135 is substantially coplanar with at least a portion of the base 110. Similarly stated, the handle 135 can extend from the walls 120 at an angle such that a surface of the handle 135 is substantially aligned with a surface of the base 110. In other embodiments, the handle 135 can extend from the walls 120 in a substantially curvilinear path. For example, in some embodiments, the handle 135 can extend from the walls 120 in a path substantially similar or the same as the handles described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20120260453, filed Sep. 7, 2011, entitled “Waste Receptacle,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The tooth assembly 150 included in the dustpan 100 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, at least a portion of the tooth assembly 150 is disposed in or coupled to the handle 135. For example, in some embodiments, the tooth assembly 150 can be at least partially disposed within a channel defined by the handle 135. The tooth assembly 150 includes a set of protrusions 171 (i.e., teeth) that extend from a surface of the walls 120 toward the distal edge 116 of the base 110. As described in further detail herein, the protrusions 171 can remove debris from a set of bristles of a broom by separating the bristles a sufficient amount to dislodge debris disposed between adjacent bristles.

The tooth assembly 150 can be formed from any suitable material. For example, in some embodiments, the tooth assembly 150 can be formed from a relatively flexible material such as, rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, silicone, ethylene propylene rubber (EPM), thermoplastic rubber (TPR). In some embodiments, the tooth assembly 150 can include, for example, a relatively rigid substrate such as a hard plastic or nylon that is over-molded with a flexible material such as TPR or silicone. In some embodiments, the rigid substrate can be monolithically formed with the base 110, the walls 120, and/or the handle 135. In other embodiments, the tooth assembly 150 can be independently formed from relatively rigid material and coupled to the walls 120 via ultrasonic welding, chemical bonding, and/or mechanical fastening (e.g., screw, bolt, keyway coupling, or the like).

The set of protrusions 171 of the tooth assembly 150 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. For example, the set of protrusions 171 can be substantially triangular (e.g., a cross-sectional area of each protrusion 171 is decreased as each protrusion 171 extends from the walls 120) having a substantially uniform size. Similarly, the protrusions 171 can be spaced at a substantially uniform distance. Said another way, the arrangement of the protrusions 171 is such that a uniform space is disposed between each adjacent protrusion 171. In other embodiments, the size and/or shape of the protrusions 171 can be varied. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the set of protrusions 171 can be spaced at any suitable position along the height of the walls 120. For example, in some embodiments, the protrusions 171 can be disposed adjacent to the base 110 (e.g., in contact with the base 110). In other embodiments, the protrusions 171 can be spaced a distance from the base 110. Furthermore, the position, size, shape, spacing, or the like can be modified within a tolerance without substantially limiting the performance of the tooth assembly 150.

As described above, the protrusions 171 can be formed from any suitable material (e.g., a relatively flexible material). More specifically, the protrusions 171 can be formed from a material configured to define a relatively large coefficient of friction between a surface of the protrusions 171 and the bristles of a broom as the broom is swept across the protrusions 171. In this manner, the protrusions 171 can act to remove debris from the bristles of the broom by separating the bristles a sufficient amount to dislodge debris disposed between adjacent bristles. Furthermore, as the bristles of the broom are moved across the protrusions 171, a measure of friction between the surface of the protrusions 171 and a portion of the debris is sufficiently large to frictionally couple, at least temporarily, the debris to the protrusions 171. Thus, debris is removed from the bristles of the broom and disposed within a volume defined between the walls 120 and the base 110.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic illustrations of a waste receptacle 200, in a first configuration and a second configuration, respectively, according to an embodiment. The waste receptacle 200 (also referred to herein as “dustpan”) can be used to collect (e.g., receive and at least temporarily contain) debris that is swept into the dustpan 200 by a broom or the like. The dustpan 200 includes a base 210, a set of walls 220, a handle 235, and a tooth assembly 250, and defines an interior region 229. The base 210 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the base 210 can have a shape that can be polygonal (e.g., square, rectangular, pentagonal, etc.), curvilinear (e.g., rounded, circular, elliptical, etc.), symmetrical, asymmetrical, or any suitable combination thereof. The base 210 includes a distal edge 216 over which debris can be swept. For example, the base 210 can be placed in contact with a surface S to be cleaned such that debris can be swept over the distal edge 216. The distal edge 216 can be substantially similar in form and function as the distal edge 116 described above with reference to FIG. 1; therefore, the distal edge 216 is not described in further detail herein.

In some embodiments, the base 210 can be a substantially planar surface. For example, when the dustpan 200 is in a first configuration (FIG. 2), an outer surface of the base 210 is entirely (substantially) in contact with the surface S. In other embodiments, the base 210 can include or define one or more discontinuities that can be arranged to divide the base 210 into, for example, distinct portions (as described in detail with reference to the base 110).

The set of walls 220 surround at least a portion of the base 210 and extend away from a set of edges of the base 210 (e.g., the edges forming the sides of the base 210) other than the distal edge 216, as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the set of walls 220 can include a back wall, a set of side walls, and a top wall. In some embodiments, the walls 220 are monolithically formed with the base 210. In other embodiments, the walls 220 can be coupled to the base 210 (e.g., via ultrasonic welding, an adhesive, or any other mechanical coupler). As described above with reference to the walls 110, the walls 220 can extend from the base 210 any suitable distance (i.e., the walls 220 can have any suitable height) and at any suitable angle. Moreover, the walls 220 and the base 210 collectively define the interior region 229. Thus, the interior region 229 is bounded by the set of walls 220 and/or the base 210 on all sides other than the side associated with the distal edge 216. Similarly stated, the walls 220 and the base 210 are arranged to define an opening adjacent to the distal edge 216 to allow access to the interior region 229. In some embodiments, the walls 220 can include a set of edges that are substantially aligned with the distal edge 216. In other embodiments, the edges of the walls 220 are spaced a distance from the distal edge 216, as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, a top edge of the walls 220 can be spaced a distance from the distal edge 216 and a side edge(s) can increase in height from the distal edge 216 of the base 210 to the top edge of the walls 220.

The tooth assembly 250 of the dustpan 200 includes a set of protrusions 271. While only one protrusion 271 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, any number of protrusions 271 can be included in the tooth assembly 250. The tooth assembly 250 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration and can be formed from any suitable material. For example, in some embodiments, the tooth assembly 250 can be formed from a relatively flexible material such as, rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, silicone, ethylene propylene rubber (EPM), thermoplastic rubber (TPR). In some embodiments, the tooth assembly 250 can include, for example, a relatively rigid substrate such as a hard plastic and can include at least a portion that is over-molded with a flexible material such as TPR or silicone to form the protrusions 271. In other embodiments, the tooth assembly 250 can include a first portion that can be coupled to the walls 220 and/or the handle 235 of the dustpan 200 and a second portion that can include the set of protrusions 271. In such embodiments, the first portion can be a relatively rigid portion (e.g., a hard plastic) and the second portion can be a relatively flexible portion (e.g., silicone or TPR). In this manner, the first portion and the second portion can be coupled together (e.g., via ultrasonic welding, chemical bonding, and/or mechanical fastening) to form the tooth assembly 250.

The tooth assembly 250 is rotatably coupled to the walls 220 of the dustpan 200 and fixedly coupled to the handle 235. The handle 235 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the handle 235 is a substantially elongate tube that extends from the tooth assembly 250. The tooth assembly 250 can be rotatably coupled to the walls 220 in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the tooth assembly 250 can include a set of cylindrical protrusions that extend from a surface of the tooth assembly 250 to be disposed within a set of openings (not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) defined by an inner surface of the walls 220. In other embodiments, the tooth assembly 250 can define a set of openings configured to receive a set of protrusions that extend from the inner surface of the walls 220. In still other embodiments, the tooth assembly 250 can be rotatably coupled to the walls 220 via one or more hinges, bearings, pivot pins, or the like. In this manner, a user can manipulate the handle 235 to move the tooth assembly 250 between a first configuration (FIG. 2) and a second configuration (FIG. 3), as described in further detail herein.

The tooth assembly 250 includes a set of protrusions 271 (i.e., teeth) that extend from a surface of the tooth assembly 250 toward the distal edge 216 of the base 210 when the dustpan 200 is in the first configuration (FIG. 2). The set of protrusions 271 of the tooth assembly 250 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. For example, the set of protrusions 271 can be substantially triangular (e.g., a cross-sectional area of each protrusion 271 is increased or decreased as each protrusion 271 extends from the walls 220) having a substantially uniform size. Similarly, the protrusions 271 can be spaced at a substantially uniform distance (as described above with reference to the protrusions 171). In other embodiments, the size, shape and/or spacing of the protrusions 271 can be varied.

As described above, the protrusions 271 can be formed from any suitable material (e.g., a relatively flexible material). More specifically, the protrusions 271 can be formed from a material configured to define a relatively large coefficient of friction between a surface of the protrusions 271 and the bristles of a broom as the broom is swept across the protrusions 271. In this manner, when the dustpan 271 is in contact with the surface S, the protrusions 271 can extend from the tooth assembly 250 and act to remove debris from the bristles of the broom by separating the bristles a sufficient amount to dislodge debris disposed between adjacent bristles. Furthermore, as the bristles of the broom are moved across the protrusions 271, a measure of friction between the surface of the protrusions 271 and a portion of the debris is sufficiently large to frictionally couple, at least temporarily, the debris to the protrusions 271. Thus, debris is removed from the bristles of the broom and is disposed within the interior region 229 defined between the walls 220 and the base 210.

With the desired debris disposed within the interior region 229, the user can exert a force on the handle 235 operative in lifting the base 210 from the surface S. With the base 210 removed from contact with the surface S, the tooth assembly 250 rotates relative to the base 210 (or vice versa) to place the dustpan 200 in the second configuration, as indicated by the arrow AA in FIG. 3. Moreover, with the dustpan 200 in the second configuration, the protrusions 271 extend into the interior region 229 toward the base 210. Thus, the dustpan 200 can be stored in the second configuration to limit potential damage to or interaction with the protrusions 271.

FIGS. 4-11 illustrate a waste receptacle 300 according to an embodiment. The waste receptacle 300 (also referred to herein as “dustpan”) can be used to collect (e.g., receive and at least temporarily contain) debris that is swept into the dustpan 300 by a broom or the like. The dustpan 300 includes a base 310, a set of walls 320, a handle 335, and a tooth assembly 350. The dustpan 300 can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, in some embodiments, the base 310 can be formed from a relatively hard plastic that is sufficiently rigid to limit an amount of deformation of the base 310 when debris is disposed thereon. Similarly stated, the base 310 can be sufficiently rigid such that the base 310 does not substantially deform during normal use (e.g., when the weight of the debris disposed within the dustpan 300 is below a given threshold).

The base 310 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the base 310 can have a shape that is polygonal (e.g., square, rectangular, pentagonal, trapezoidal, etc.), curvilinear (e.g., rounded, circular, elliptical, etc.), symmetrical, asymmetrical, or any suitable combination thereof. For example as shown in FIG. 4, the base 310 has a substantially trapezoidal shape with rounder corners between a pair of side edges and a proximal (e.g., rear) edge. The base 310 includes a first portion 311 and a second portion 313. The first portion 311 (also referred to herein as “body portion”) of the base 310 is configured to receive and retain debris swept into the dustpan 300, as described in further detail herein. As shown in FIG. 4, the first portion 311 extends from a rear edge of the base 310 toward the second portion 313. The first portion 311 and the second portion 313 collectively define a discontinuity 312 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 5, the discontinuity 312 can be a change in height or angle in the base 310, such as a step or the like. The arrangement of the first portion 311 and the second portion 313 can be such that the discontinuity 312 can act to retain debris within the first portion 311. For example, if the dustpan 100 is placed at an angle such that debris slides from the first portion 311 toward the second portion 313, the discontinuity 312 acts to confine the debris within the first portion 311, thus, the risk of spilling the debris can be reduced.

The second portion 313 extends from the discontinuity 312 in a distal direction (e.g., away from the first portion). The second portion 313 includes a coupling surface 314 (see e.g., FIG. 6) that can be coupled to a skirt 315. The coupling surface 314 can be for example, a protrusion, an edge, a recess, or the like. Moreover, the skirt 315 can include a corresponding surface (not shown in FIGS. 4-11) configured to mate with to the coupling surface 314. In some embodiments, the coupling surface 314 and the corresponding surface of the skirt 315 can form a friction fit that maintains the skirt 315 in contact with the coupling portion 314. In other embodiments, the skirt 315 can be coupled to the coupling surface 314 via an adhesive, a snap fit, a mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw), and/or any other suitable coupling method.

The skirt 315 includes a substantially straight distal edge 316 over which debris can be swept. For example as shown in FIG. 5, at least a portion of the base 310 and/or the skirt 315 is placed in contact with a surface S to be cleaned such that debris can be swept over the distal edge 316 of the skirt 315. In some embodiments, the skirt 315 can be formed from a flexible material that can deform or otherwise reconfigure when the base 310 is placed in contact with the surface S. For example, in some embodiments, the skirt 315 can be formed from rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, silicone, ethylene propylene rubber (EPM), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), or the like. In this manner, the skirt 315 can elastically deform (e.g., nonpermanently deform) when the base 310 is placed in contact with the surface S to be cleaned and can return to an undeformed configuration when the base 310 is removed from contact with the surface S. This arrangement can substantially prevent debris from being swept underneath the base 310. While described as being coupled to the coupling surface 314 of the base 310, in some embodiments, the skirt 315 can be, for example, an over-molded portion of the base 310. For example, the coupling surface 314 of the second portion 312 act as a relatively hard substrate about which the skirt 315 can be over-molded.

The set of walls 320 surround at least a portion of the base 310 and extend upwardly from a set of edges of the base 310 (e.g., the edges forming the sides of the base 310) other than the distal edge 316, as shown in FIGS. 4-6. The set of walls 320 include a first portion 321 and a second portion 322. In some embodiments, the walls 320 are unitarily formed with each other and/or the base 310. In other embodiments, the walls 320 can be formed independently and can be coupled to the base 310 (e.g., via ultrasonic welding, an adhesive, or any other mechanical coupler). The walls 320 extend in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the base 310. In other embodiments, the walls 320 can extend from the base 310 at any suitable angle other than 90° (as described above with reference to FIG. 1). The walls 320 and the base 310 collectively form a rounded contour as the walls 320 extend from the base 310. Although shown in FIGS. 4-6 as substantially non-uniform, the walls 320 and the base 310 can form a rounded contour with a uniform radius.

The first portion 321 of the walls 320 extends from the skirt 315 toward the second portion 322. In this manner, the first portion 321 of the walls 320 is formed from a pair of side walls and the second portion 322 of the walls 320 is formed from a rear (i.e., a proximal wall) of the dust pan 300. The first portion 321 includes a tapered edge that decreases in height as the first portion 321 (the side walls) extend from the second portion 322 toward the skirt 315. The arrangement of the tapered edges provides a taller wall height at the area of debris storage (i.e., the first portion 311, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), while saving on material usage by decreasing the wall height at areas where debris storage is less likely (i.e., the second portion 3120).

The second portion 322 of the walls 320 has an outer surface 323 and an inner surface 324 and defines a channel 326. As shown in FIG. 6, the inner surface 324 includes a set of protrusions 327 that can at least partially couple the tooth assembly 350 to the second portion 322 of the walls 320, as described in further detail herein. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the handle 335 is coupled to the second portion 322 of the walls 320 and is configured to extend in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the outer surface 323. In some embodiments, the handle 335 can be monolithically formed with the second portion 322 of the walls 320. In other embodiments, the handle 335 can be coupled to the second portion 322 of the walls 320 (e.g., via ultrasonic welding, an adhesive, a mechanical coupler (screw, bolt, and/or nut), or the like).

The handle 335 can extend from the second portion 322 of the walls 320 at any suitable angle. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the handle 335 extends from the second portion 322 of the walls 320 in a substantially linear path at an angle, less than 90°, such that a portion of the handle 335 is substantially coplanar with at least a portion of the base 310. More specifically, the handle 335 extends from the second portion 322 of the walls 320 at an angle such that a surface of the handle 335 is substantially aligned with the distal edge 316 of the skirt 315. While not shown in FIGS. 4-11, in some embodiments, the handle 335 can include a pedal portion (e.g., a foot pedal) that can be similar to those described in the U.S. Patent Publication No. 20120260453, incorporated by reference above. In this manner, the foot pedal can be in contact with a surface to be cleaned (e.g., the surface S shown in FIG. 5) and the user can place a foot on the pedal to secure at least a portion of the dustpan 300 to the surface.

The handle 335 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. For example as shown in FIG. 6, the handle 335 includes substantially linear sides that extend toward an arcuate end portion. The handle 335 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section with an inner surface that defines a channel 343 between the side walls. The arrangement of the handle 335 and the second portion 322 of the walls 320 is such that the channel 343 of the handle 335 is substantially aligned with the channel 326 of the second portion 322 of the walls 320. In this manner, the channel 326 and the channel 343 can each receive a portion of the tooth assembly 350. Moreover, the handle 335 includes a protrusion 345 and defines an aperture 344 that are each configured to engage a portion of the tooth assembly 350 when the portion of the tooth assembly 350 is disposed within the channel 343.

The tooth assembly 350 is coupled to the walls 320 of the dustpan 300 to remove debris from a set of bristles of a broom as the broom is swept across the tooth assembly. As shown in FIG. 6, the tooth assembly 350 includes a first member 351 and a second member 358. The first member 351 includes a first portion 352 and a second portion 358. The first portion 352 includes a first surface 353 (FIG. 6) and a second surface 354 (FIG. 7). The first surface 353 includes or defines a set of detents 355 and a set of protrusions 356 that engage a portion of the second member 365 to couple the second member 365 to the first member 351. As shown in FIG. 7, the second surface 354 includes a set of openings 355 that receive the protrusions 327 extending from the inner surface 324 of the second portion 322 of the walls 320, as described in further detail herein.

The second portion 358 of the first member 351 is at least partially disposed within the channel 326 defined by the second portion 322 of the walls 320 and the channel 343 defined by the handle 335. Although not shown in FIGS. 4-11, the second portion 358 can define an opening that can receive the protrusion 345 of the handle 335 to at least partially retain the second portion 358 within the channel 343 of the handle 335. In some embodiments, the protrusion 345 can be configured to deform when disposed within the opening defined by the second portion 358 (e.g., in a manner similar to a rivet). In other embodiments, the protrusion 345 can be disposed within the opening can secured thereto via a mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw). In some embodiments, the first member 351 and the surface defining the channel 343 of the handle 335 form a friction or press fit that can also retain the second portion 358 within the channel 343. The second portion 358 is disposed within the channel 343 such that an aperture 361 (FIG. 6) defined by the second portion 358 is substantially aligned (e.g., coaxial) with the aperture 344 defined by the handle 335. The second portion 359 further defines a channel 359 and an alignment protrusion 360 that are each placed in contact with a portion of the second member 365 to at least partially couple the second member 365 thereto, as described in further detail below.

The second member 365 of the tooth assembly 350 includes a first portion 366 and a second portion 376. The first portion 366 includes a first surface 367 (FIG. 6) and a second surface 368 (FIG. 7). The first surface 367 includes a set of protrusions 371 (i.e., teeth) that extend outwardly from the first surface 367, as described in further detail herein. The set of protrusions 371 of the tooth assembly 350 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the set of protrusions 371 are substantially triangular each including a first surface 372 and a second surface 373 that collectively form a rounded tip 374. The protrusions 371 are substantially uniform in size and can be spaced at a substantially uniform distance. Said another way, the arrangement of the protrusions 371 is such that a uniform space is disposed between each adjacent protrusion 371. In other embodiments, the size and/or shape of the protrusions 371 can be varied.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second surface 368 of the first portion 365 defines a set of detents 369 and a set of openings 370. More specifically, the detents 369 and the openings 370 substantially correspond with the detents 356 and protrusions 357 of the first member 351. In this manner, the first portion 366 of the second member 365 can be coupled to the first portion 352 of the first member 351.

The second portion 376 of the second member 365 defines a channel 377 and an alignment aperture 378 and includes a coupler 379. As described above, the second portion 376 of the second member 365 is coupled to the second portion 358 of the first member 351. More specifically, a surface of the second portion 376 that defines the channel 377 is disposed within the channel 359 of the first member 351. Similarly, the coupler 379 is disposed within the aperture 361 defined by the first member 351. In addition, the alignment protrusion 360 of the first member 351 is disposed within the alignment aperture 378 of the second member 365.

As described above, the tooth assembly 350 is coupled to the second portion 322 of the walls 320 and partially disposed within the handle 335. More specifically, the first member 351 and the second member 365 are coupled together and are coupled to the inner surface 324 of the walls 320 and the handle 335 with a series of frictional interfaces defined therebetween. For example, the first member 351 and the second member 365 of the tooth assembly 350 can be formed from a relatively flexible material such as, rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, silicone, ethylene propylene rubber (EPM), thermoplastic rubber (TPR). In some instances, the material used to form the first member 351 and/or the second member 365 can define a relatively large friction coefficient with a surface when placed in contact with the surface. Thus, portions of the tooth assembly 350 can be at least partially deformed (e.g., elastically or plastically) to couple (e.g., at least partially via a friction fit) the first member 351 to the second member 365 and/or the first member 351 and second member 365 to the walls 320 and the handle.

For example, with the second member 365 coupled to the first member 351, the coupler 379 extends through the aperture 361 defined by the first member 361 and the aperture 344 defined by the handle 335. The coupler 379 includes a lip that is placed in contact with a surface of the handle 335 when the coupler 379 is disposed within the aperture 344. In some embodiments, the lip can form a friction fit with the surface of the handle 335 to at least partially retain the second member 365 in a fixed position relative to the handle 335. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the protrusions 327 that extend from the inner surface 324 of the walls 320 form a friction fit with a surface of the first member 351 that defines the openings 355. Similarly, the second surface 368 of the second member 365 that defines the detents 355 and the openings 356 (not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) forms a friction fit with the first surface 353 of the first member 351 that defines the corresponding detents 356 and protrusions 357. Thus, the tooth assembly 350 is fixedly coupled to the second portion 322 of the walls 320 such that a portion of the tooth assembly 350 is fixedly disposed within the channel 343 defined by the handle 335.

As shown in FIG. 11, the dustpan 300 can be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned. In this manner, a user can manipulate a broom to sweep debris over the skirt 315 and the second portion 312 to deposit at least a portion of the debris at the area for debris storage. The user can manipulate the broom to sweep the bristles of the broom across the protrusions 371 of the tooth assembly to remove debris entrained in the bristles. More specifically, as described above, the protrusions 371 can remove debris from a set of bristles of a broom by separating the bristles a sufficient amount to dislodge debris disposed between adjacent bristles. Furthermore, tooth assembly 350 and, therefore, the protrusions 371 can be formed from a material configured to define a relatively large coefficient of friction between a surface of the protrusions 371 and the bristles of a broom as the broom is swept across the protrusions 371. In this manner, the protrusions 371 can act to remove debris from the bristles of the broom by separating the bristles a sufficient amount to dislodge debris disposed between adjacent bristles. Furthermore, as the bristles of the broom are moved across the protrusions 371, a measure of friction between the surface of the protrusions 371 and a portion of the debris is sufficiently large to frictionally couple, at least temporarily, the debris to the protrusions 371. Thus, debris is removed from the bristles of the broom and disposed within a volume defined between the walls 320 and the base 310.

Although not shown in FIGS. 4-11, in some instances, the dustpan 300 can be coupled to a broom, for example, during storage. In such instances, a handle of the broom can be disposed within the channel 377 defined by the tooth assembly 350. The arrangement of the tooth assembly 350 is such that a surface of the second member 365 that defines the channel 377 forms a friction fit with a surface of the handle of the broom. In this manner, the dustpan 300 can be stored in a fixed position along the length of the handle of the broom until a time where a user removes the dustpan 300 from contact with the broom handle. Moreover, the coupling of the portion of the tooth assembly 350 disposed with the handle 335 can be sufficiently strong to retain the tooth assembly 350 relative to the handle 335. In other words, the portion of the tooth assembly 350 is securely disposed within the channel 343 defined by the handle 335 such that when a force is exerted on the dustpan 300 to remove the dustpan 300 from the broom handle, the tooth assembly 350 is not removed from the channel 343 of the handle 335.

While the dustpan 300 is shown and described as including a channel 377 that can receive a broom handle to couple the dustpan 300 thereto, in other embodiments, a dustpan need not include a channel. For example, FIG. 12 illustrates a dustpan 400 according to an embodiment. As shown, the dustpan 400 includes a base 410, a set of walls 420, a handle 435, and a tooth assembly 450. The base 410 is coupled to a skirt 415. The dustpan 400 is substantially similar to or the same as the dustpan 300 described above with reference to FIGS. 4-11. Thus, similar portions are not described in further detail herein. The dustpan 400 can differ, however, by including the tooth assembly 450 that does not define a channel (e.g., the channel 377 shown in FIGS. 4-11). In this manner, a top surface of the tooth assembly 450 can be substantially flat. In some embodiments, the top surface of the tooth assembly 450 can be coplanar with a top surface of the set of walls 420 and/or the handle 435. In other embodiments, the top surface of the tooth assembly 450 can be disposed above the top surface of the set of walls 420 and/or the handle 435. In such embodiments, the arrangement of the portion of the tooth assembly 450 disposed above the top surface of the set of walls 420 and/or the handle 435 can increase the ergonomics of the dustpan 400 due to the tooth assembly 450 being formed from a relative flexible material. In still other embodiments, the top surface of the tooth assembly 450 can be disposed below the top surface of the set of walls 420 and/or the handle 435. As shown in FIG. 12, the dustpan 400 can include an opening 480. In some instances, the opening 480 can be disposed about a hook, nail, screw, or the like to store the dustpan 400 (e.g., to hang the dustpan 400 for storage).

While the dustpans 300 and 400 are shown as being an open configuration including a fixedly attached handle 335 and 435, respectively, in other embodiments, a dustpan can include a substantially closed bin that can be rotatably coupled to a handle. For example, FIGS. 13-21 illustrate a dustpan 500 according to an embodiment. The dustpan 500 can be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned to receive and at least temporarily store debris swept into the dustpan from a broom.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the dustpan 500 includes a bin 505, a handle 535, a coupling member 546, and a tooth assembly 550. The handle 535 is an elongate tube that can be manipulated by a user to move the dustpan 500 between a first configuration (FIG. 18) and a second configuration (FIG. 19), as described in further detail herein. The bin 505 includes a base 510 and a set of walls 520. The base 510 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the base 510 can have a shape that is polygonal (e.g., square, rectangular, pentagonal, trapezoidal, etc.), curvilinear (e.g., rounded, circular, elliptical, etc.), symmetrical, asymmetrical, or any suitable combination thereof. For example as shown in FIG. 15, the base 510 has a substantially rectangular shape with rounder corners between a pair of side edges and a proximal (e.g., rear) edge. The base 510 includes a distal edge 516 over which debris can be swept. In some embodiments, the base 510 can be a substantially planar surface. For example, the dustpan 500 can be placed in the first configuration such that an outer surface of the base 510 is entirely (substantially) in contact with a surface to be cleaned. In other embodiments, the base 510 can include or define one or more discontinuities that can be arranged to divide the base 510 into, for example, distinct portions (as described in detail with reference to the base 110). Although not shown in FIGS. 13-21, in some embodiments, the base 510 can include or be coupled to a skirt such as, for example, the skirt 315 described above with reference to FIG. 5.

The set of walls 520 surround at least a portion of the base 510 and extend upwardly from a set of edges of the base 510 (e.g., the edges forming the sides of the base 510) other than the distal edge 516, as shown in FIGS. 13-15. The set of walls 520 include a first portion 521, a second portion 522, and a third portion 528. In some embodiments, the walls 520 are unitarily formed with each other and/or the base 510. In other embodiments, the walls 520 can be formed independently and can be coupled to the base 510 (e.g., via ultrasonic welding, an adhesive, or any other mechanical coupler). The first portion 521 and the second portion 522 of the walls 520 extend in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the base 510. In other embodiments, the first portion 521 and the second portion 522 of the walls 520 can extend from the base 510 at any suitable angle other than 90° (as described above with reference to FIG. 1).

The first portion 521 of the walls 520 extends from the distal edge 516 toward the second portion 522 of the walls 520. In this manner, the first portion 521 of the walls 520 is formed from a pair of side walls and the second portion 522 of the walls 520 is formed from a rear (i.e., a proximal wall) of the dust pan 500. The third portion 528 extends between the side walls forming the first portion 521. Thus, the base 510 and the set of walls 520 collectively define an interior region 529 that is bounded by the set of walls 520 and/or the base 510 on all sides other than the side associated with the distal edge 516. Similarly stated, the walls 520 and the base 510 are arranged to define an opening adjacent to the distal edge 516 to allow access to the interior region 529. As shown, the first portion 521 of the walls 520 can include a set of edges that are substantially aligned with the distal edge 516. In other embodiments, the edges of the walls 520 are spaced a distance from the distal edge 516. As shown, an edge of the third portion 528 of the walls 520 can be spaced a distance from the distal edge 516 and an edge(s) of the first portion 521 can increase in height from the distal edge 516 of the base 510 to the edge of the third portion 528 of the walls 520.

As shown in FIG. 15, the first portion 521 of the walls 520 includes a pivot portion 530 configured to rotatably couple the bin 505 to the coupling member 546. For example, in some embodiments, the pivot portion 530 is a pair of protrusions extending from the first portion 521 of the walls 520 into the interior region 529. In other embodiments, the pivot portion 530 can be a pair of openings defined by the first portion 521 of the walls 520. In still other embodiments, the pivot portion 530 can include one or more bearings or the like. Thus, the coupling portion 546 can be coupled to the bin 505 and allowed to rotate about the pivot portion 530. Moreover, the first portion 521 of the walls 520 also include a set of tabs 532 that can engage the coupling member 546 to at least temporarily retain the coupling member 546 in a fixed position relative to the bin 505, as described in further detail herein

The coupling member 546 can be any suitable configuration (size and shape) to operably couple the tooth assembly 550 to the handle 535 and the bin 505. The coupling member 546 is configured to be rotatably coupled to the bin 505 and fixedly coupled (at least temporarily) to the handle 535 and the tooth assembly 550. As shown in FIG. 16, the coupling member 546 includes a first coupling portion 547 that is rotatably coupled to the pivot portion 530 of the bin 505, a second coupling portion 548 that is coupled to the tooth assembly 550, and a third coupling portion 549 that is coupled to the handle 535. The first coupling portion 547 can be any suitable configuration configured to correspond to the pivot portion 530 of the bin 505. For example, in some embodiments, the pivot portion 530 of the bin 505 can be a set of openings and the first coupling portion 547 of the coupling member 546 can be a set of protrusions (or vice versa). In other embodiments, the first coupling portion 547 can be an axle configured to be at least partially disposed within a bearing or the like. Thus, the coupling member 546 is rotatably coupled to the bin 505 and is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, as described in further detail herein.

The second coupling portion 548 is configured to receive a portion of the tooth assembly 550 (FIG. 16). The tooth assembly 550 can be coupled to the second coupling portion 548 in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the tooth assembly 550 and the second coupling portion 548 can form a friction or press fit and/or a portion of the tooth assembly 550 can be at least partially disposed within a channel or groove defined by the second coupling portion 548. In other embodiments, the tooth assembly 550 can be coupled to the second coupling portion 548 via an adhesive or ultrasonic welding. In still other embodiments, the tooth assembly 550 can be coupled to the second coupling portion 548 via one or more mechanical fasteners.

As shown in FIG. 17, the third coupling portion 549 of the coupling member 546 is configured to be coupled to the handle 535. For example, in some embodiments, the handle 535 and the third coupling portion 549 can form a threaded coupling. In other embodiments, the third coupling portion 549 can be coupled to the handle 535 via one or more mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws or the like). In this manner, the handle 535 can be fixedly coupled (at least temporarily) to the third coupling portion 549. Thus, with the handle 535 fixedly coupled to the coupling member 546, the user can manipulate the handle 535 to move the coupling member 546 between its first configuration and its second configuration, relative to the bin 505.

As shown in FIG. 16, the tooth assembly 550 of the dustpan 500 includes first member 551 and a second member 565. The first member 551 can be coupled to the second coupling portion 548 of the coupling member 546 as described above. The first member 551 can be any suitable configuration and can be formed from any suitable material. For example, in some embodiments, the first member 551 is formed from a relatively rigid material (e.g., nylon, hard plastic, polypropylene, or the like). In some embodiments, the first member 551 can form a relatively rigid substrate about which the second member 565 can be over-molded. In other embodiments, the second member 565 can be coupled to the first member 551 via an adhesive, ultrasonic welding, one or more mechanical fasteners, or the like.

The second member 565 includes a first surface 5567 and a second surface 568. The second surface 568 is coupled to the first member 551 to form the tooth assembly 550 (as described above). The first surface 567 includes a set of protrusions 571 that extend from a first surface 567 of the second member 565 (FIG. 16). The second member 565 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration and can be formed from any suitable material. For example, in some embodiments, the second member 565 can be formed from a relatively flexible material such as, rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, silicone, ethylene propylene rubber (EPM), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), or silicone. In some embodiments, the second member 565 can be over-molded about the first member 551 (as described above). In other embodiments, the second member 565 can be formed from a relatively rigid material such as a hard plastic, nylon, or the like. Furthermore, the second member 565 can be formed from a material configured to define a relatively large coefficient of friction between a surface of the protrusions 571 and the bristles of a broom as the broom is swept across the protrusions 571. Although the tooth assembly 550 is shown and described as including the first member 551 and the second member 565, in other embodiments the first member 551 and the second member 565 can be unitarily formed.

As shown in FIG. 18, the user can manipulate the handle 535 of the dustpan 500 to place the base 510 in contact with a surface to be cleaned and can position the handle 535 relative to the bin 505 such that the protrusions 571 of the tooth assembly 550 extend from the first surface 567 of the second member 565 toward the distal edge 516 of the base 510, thereby placing the dustpan 500 is in the first configuration. Moreover, while in the first configuration, the first surface 567 of the second member 565 of the tooth assembly 550 can be placed in contact with the tabs 532 of the first portion 521 of the walls 520. Thus, the tabs 532 can retain the coupling member 546 in a substantially fixed position relative to the bin 505. In this manner, the user can manipulate a broom to sweep debris from the surface into the interior region 529 of the bin 505. Moreover, the user can manipulate the broom to sweep the bristles of the broom across the protrusions 571 of the tooth assembly 550. Thus, the protrusions 571 act to remove debris from the bristles of the broom by separating the bristles a sufficient amount to dislodge debris disposed between adjacent bristles. Furthermore, as the bristles of the broom are moved across the protrusions 571, a measure of friction between the surface of the protrusions 571 and a portion of the debris is sufficiently large to frictionally couple, at least temporarily, the debris to the protrusions 571. Thus, debris is removed from the bristles of the broom and is disposed within the interior region 529 defined between the walls 520 and the base 510.

With the desired debris disposed within the interior region 529, the user can exert a force on the handle 535 operative in lifting the base 510 from the surface. With the base 510 removed from contact with the surface, the user can manipulate the handle 535 and/or the bin 505 to disengage the first surface 567 of the second member 565 from the tabs 532. Thus, the coupling member 546 can rotate relative to the base 510 (or vice versa) to place the dustpan 500 in the second configuration, as indicated by the arrow BB in FIG. 19. Moreover, with the dustpan 500 in the second configuration, the protrusions 571 extend into the interior region 529 toward the base 510. In a similar manner as described above, while in the second configuration, the coupling member 546 can be placed in contact with a portion of the tabs 532 to retain the coupling member 546 in a substantially fixed position relative to the bin 505. Said another way, the tabs 532 can engage to the coupling member 546 to retain the coupling member 546 such that the coupling member 546 does not substantially move, relative to the bin 505, under the force of gravity. Thus, the dustpan 500 can be stored in the second configuration to limit potential damage to or interaction with the protrusions 571. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, in some instances, a broom can be stored within the interior region 529 of the bin 505. For example, in some embodiments the broom can be disposed within the interior region 529 prior to the dustpan 500 being completely moved to the second configuration. In other embodiments, the dustpan 500 can be in the second configuration and the broom can be inserted into the interior region 529, as indicated by the arrow CC in FIG. 20. Thus, as shown in FIG. 21, the dustpan 500 can be stored with the broom.

While the tooth assemblies 150, 250, 350, 450, and 550, have been particularly shown and described herein, a dustpan can include a tooth assembly of any suitable arrangement. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of a set of protrusions included in a tooth assembly can be varied. In some embodiments, the spatial arrangement of the protrusions can be varied. For example, in some embodiments, the protrusions can be arranged in a staggered pattern. For example, the tooth assembly can include a bottom row of protrusions and a top row of protrusions in a staggered pattern, e.g., the top row of protrusions are directly above the space created between adjacent protrusions of the bottom row.

The waste receptacles or dustpans described herein can be formed of any suitable material or using any suitable method. Furthermore, various components can be of similar or different materials. Similarly, various components of the dustpan can be unitarily formed or be comprised of multiple parts. For example, the body of the dustpan 300 (i.e., the base 310 and the set of walls 320) can be formed of a hard plastic, while the skirt 315 and the tooth assembly 350 can be formed of a flexible rubber.

In some embodiments, the plurality of protrusions can be unitarily formed of a relatively hard plastic with the body of the dustpan. An over-mold can be used to apply a layer of thermoplastic rubber (TPR) or silicone material over the hard plastic base layer of the protrusions and/or the handle to modify the characteristics of such components. For example, a TPR over-mold can be used to increase the friction coefficient between the protrusions and the debris so more debris is removed from the bristles of a broom. Furthermore, the TPR over-mold can be applied to the handle to increase comfort when a user grips the handle. In other embodiments, no over-mold is applied, thus the protrusions are rigid.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Where schematics and/or embodiments described above indicate certain components arranged in certain orientations/or positions, the arrangement of components may be modified. Similarly, where methods and/or events described above indicate certain events and/or procedures occurring in certain order, the ordering of certain events and/or procedures may be modified. While the embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a dustpan configured to receive and contain debris, the dustpan including: a base configured to be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned, the base having a front edge over which debris can be swept into the dustpan; and a wall extending upwardly from at least a portion of the base other than the front edge, the wall at least partially configured to contain debris in the dustpan; a handle having a substantially arcuate cross-section coupled to the wall of the dustpan and configured to allow a user to place the base in contact with the surface to be cleaned; and a tooth assembly at least partially disposed in the arcuate cross-section of the handle, the tooth assembly having a plurality of protrusions extending from the wall and configured to remove debris from bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the plurality of protrusions.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle extends away from the dustpan so that at least a portion of the handle is disposed approximately co-planar with the base.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle extends downwardly away from a top edge of the wall so that at least a portion of the handle is disposed approximately co-planar with the base.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portion of the tooth assembly disposed in the arcuate cross-section of the handle defines a channel configured to frictionally engage a broom handle.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tooth assembly is unitarily formed.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of protrusions has a taper from its base to its tip.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions are approximately equally spaced from each other.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of protrusions has a substantially triangular cross-section.
 9. An apparatus comprising: a dustpan configured to receive and contain debris, the dustpan including: a base configured to be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned, the base having a front edge over which debris can be swept into the dustpan; and a wall extending upwardly from at least a portion of the base other than the front edge, the wall at least partially configured to contain debris in the dustpan; a handle having a substantially arcuate cross-section coupled to the wall of the dustpan and configured to allow a user to place the base in contact with the surface to be cleaned; a tooth assembly coupled to at least one of the wall and the handle, the tooth assembly having a plurality of protrusions extending from the wall and configured to remove debris from bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the plurality of protrusions; and a portion of the tooth assembly disposed in the arcuate cross-section of the handle and defining a channel configured to frictionally engage a broom handle.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the base includes a flexible material disposed on the front edge configured to reduce the debris that can fit between the front edge and the surface to be cleaned.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions includes a substantially rounded tip at a distal end of each of the plurality of protrusions.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions includes a substantially flat tip at a distal end of each of the plurality of protrusions.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of protrusions are rubber.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of protrusions are plastic.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is a different size than a second protrusion of the plurality of protrusions.
 16. An apparatus comprising: a dustpan defining an interior region configured to receive and contain debris, the dustpan including a base configured to be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned, the base having a front edge over which debris can be swept into the dustpan; a tooth assembly having a plurality of protrusions, the tooth assembly coupled to the dustpan for rotational movement relative to the dustpan between a first configuration such that the plurality of protrusions extend toward the front edge when the base is placed in contact with the surface to be cleaned, and a second configuration such that the plurality of protrusions extend into the interior region of the dustpan when the base is lifted away from the surface to be cleaned, the plurality of protrusions configured to remove debris from bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the plurality of protrusions; and a handle coupled to the tooth assembly and configured to allow a user to move the tooth assembly between the first configuration and the second configuration.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality of protrusions are flexible.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality of protrusions are substantially rigid.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: a coupling member configured to operably couple the tooth assembly and the handle to the dustpan.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the dustpan includes projections and the coupling member includes recesses configured to receive the projections, the coupling member configured to rotate about the projections between the first configuration and the second configuration. 